mounting issuses powercolor 4870x2 xspc fc block

Hi all, I recently set up my new watercooling loop of a gtz on an i7 920 and a xpsc full cover block on a power color 4870x2

I had every thing set up and ready to go, but no joy as the pc failed to start with a flashing led on my card telling me it was over heating.

After taking the loop apart i noticed that the paste was spread out very well on the memory chips and there was barely any contact on the chipset at all.

Ive tried remounting the block a number of times, with more and less pressure, tightening from the outer screws to the inside and vice versa but im still getting seemingly poor contact.

Here is a few pics

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3258/...58385179_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/...6ef99ab4_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/...aa0cca.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3116/...297d9f.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/...9cf9eb.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/...b15fcc.jpg?v=0


I've taken the delrin top off the copper part and both (the delrin part more so) are bowed so the outer parts of the block are further away from the card surface than the inner, but this doesnt take in to account the fact the chipset block is touching either.


This is the first full cover block I've used so I might just be doing it wrong does anyone have any words of wisdom?

oh dayam i thought XSPC used standoffs..

you seem to have the problem people had with EK blocks, and the fact the card is warping so even contact is almost impossible..

Remount but first do the cores.. and then the ends, and finally the middle.. Dont tighten right away... make it kinda loose so you can do a final adjustment... and then tighten lightly..

this is why standoff's are so important...

So does the 4870 x2 danger den block or the swiftech block use standoffs? cos the more i struggle with this block the more likely i am to f up and break my card :S

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Originally Posted by Pootank

So does the 4870 x2 danger den block or the swiftech block use standoffs? cos the more i struggle with this block the more likely i am to f up and break my card :S

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yes they both do..

Here is the DD block:
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...a/IMG_0008.jpg

U can see what i mean about standoff's by looking at the block from the side..

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...a/IMG_0010.jpg

I havent heard of anyone having problems mounting a koolance or DD block on a HD4870X2.

Koolance uses standoffs like this:
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...a/IMG_0070.jpg

Think whats causing youre problem is the gfx manufactures not holding very tight tolerences on component instalation height. I think Gabe ran into the same issue with yhe swiftech block on the 280.

The XSPC does have standoffs at least in all the pics on various sites.

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Originally Posted by Utnorris

The XSPC does have standoffs at least in all the pics on various sites.

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his pics dont look like it tho.. :X

i also remember EddieK commenting about it... looks like he was correct.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Utnorris

The XSPC does have standoffs at least in all the pics on various sites.

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Sort of if you look at the photos the standoffs aren't any higher than the memory pads.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by _G_

Think whats causing youre problem is the gfx manufactures not holding very tight tolerences on component instalation height. I think Gabe ran into the same issue with yhe swiftech block on the 280.

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It is a problem, that's why we use thermal tape on the vregs and memory. We ship our blocks with two sizes .5mm and 1mm since we made that change I haven't seen any problems.

Don't get me started on gfx card mfgs and tolerances... :lol2:

Had the same problem with my original 8800GTX and the DD FC block.

First one I owned was one of those "Zotac" ones. Couldn't achieve proper contact in all elements without bowing noticeably the card towards the middle and towards the rear end...

Then I sold it and bought two BFG 8800GTX OC2 and I was able to achieve proper contact with no bow whatsoever...

And pertaining the 4870 x2, I have the same block as the OP and a Sapphire card, and I had to add nylon washers here and there and different thermal tapes to achieve a proper mount with no bow...

Can't blame XSPC at all for it. I'm certain their design would work perfectly with the card they used as reference. In fact it probably works most of the time with most of the cards. Can't really ask the WB manufacturers to be precognitive.

Bad for you. I`m waiting for my xspc block for my 4870x2... We will se how it will fitt.... Can`t u use a thermal pad on the chip that dont have contact?

would you be able to add in additional washers to fix this? is it just a clearance issue?

I had the same issues so i went out an got some thermal pads for the memory and the bridge chip and that solved my problem.

Yeah it looks like it has standoffs in pictures but it doesn't its a shame cause that is one of the reasons i bought it.

*wrong thread*

Got my xspc block yesterday and mounted it with paste on the cores and mem, stock pad on chip and the xspc pads on the other chips.

I have tightend the screws around the cores really hard and i have no contact issue. The cores idle at 31/34c load at ~55c.

So to all of you out there that is scared of this block i can say that it`s nothing to be worried about. I downloaded the pdf manual and followed it.

http://www.techsweden.org/galleri/bi...scn3225_t.jpeg

http://www.techsweden.org/galleri/bi...scn3227_t.jpeg

http://www.techsweden.org/galleri/bi...scn3229_t.jpeg

xspc mounting guide

I would like to confirm that there is no mounting problems. Just use the included thermal pads, grease, and just follow the manual.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheMan89

Got my xspc block yesterday and mounted it with paste on the cores and mem, stock pad on chip and the xspc pads on the other chips.

I have tightend the screws around the cores really hard and i have no contact issue. The cores idle at 31/34c load at ~55c.

So to all of you out there that is scared of this block i can say that it`s nothing to be worried about. I downloaded the pdf manual and followed it.

]http://www.techsweden.org/galleri/bilder/fpRZ/t/dscn3225_t.jpeg[/img]

[]http://www.techsweden.org/galleri/bilder/fpRZ/t/dscn3227_t.jpeg[g]

[img]http://www.techsweden.org/galleri/bilder/fpRZ/t/dscn3229_t.jpeg[/]

xspc mounting guide

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Excellent post very informative. XSPC has the best written instructions I've seen.

I had some problems installing this block aswell. Got the red led lighting up on the middle ( thermal problem ) I mounted my block using the thermal pads that were on the stock air cooler..apparently they were too thick and the cores got a very bad contact. Remounted using the supplied pads "duh" and used Arctic ceramic on the memory chips & Arctic silver on the cores. It's now idling at 37c compared to the mid 70's on the stock cooler.

So it was an user error, lol

U learn the most of your own mistakes :) For the chip between the cores i think its best to use the stock thermal pad.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheMan89

Got my xspc block yesterday and mounted it with paste on the cores and mem, stock pad on chip and the xspc pads on the other chips.

I have tightend the screws around the cores really hard and i have no contact issue. The cores idle at 31/34c load at ~55c.

So to all of you out there that is scared of this block i can say that it`s nothing to be worried about. I downloaded the pdf manual and followed it.

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I do not mean to be rude, but those temps are terrible. I use the DangerDen 4870x2 block and my voltmodded 4870x2 running @ 900mhz on the cores loads at only 40C....

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Originally Posted by SNiiPE_DoGG

I do not mean to be rude, but those temps are terrible. I use the DangerDen 4870x2 block and my voltmodded 4870x2 running @ 900mhz on the cores loads at only 40C....

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I don't mean to be rude either...but you have to remember ppl are using different setups. You are packing some serious radiators on your build hence awesome temps. I for example am running an el cheapo MCR 320 QP with 3 Ultra kazes at 900rpm, in a loop with a Q6600 @ 3.6ghz + the 4870X2 and im getting similar load temps as he is. still a good 50c lower than the stock air :p:

i have an E8400 (@1.37v) and a 4870 in a single loop being cooled by a PA120.3. with an ambient temp of ~22°C and my fans running at a mere 400rpm my 4870 does not go past 38°C load.

aside from a very annoying WD2500KS hard drive, my system is whisper quiet.


as for the standoffs, i bought some nylon ones at ace hardware. it took 3 for each bolt on my EK-FC4870 (nickel plated) to make a perfect mate with the card. there is only one thread that didnt have the clearance around it to use the washers.

other than that, with the solid and unwarped mount of my 4870 block my temps went down about 4°C from when i didnt have the standoffs. might be something to really consider

http://www.techsweden.org/galleri/fp...reme/dscn3225/

Looks like it has standoffs to me, they dont look as high as they should be, but it definitely has them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hewi

I don't mean to be rude either...but you have to remember ppl are using different setups. You are packing some serious radiators on your build hence awesome temps. I for example am running an el cheapo MCR 320 QP with 3 Ultra kazes at 900rpm, in a loop with a Q6600 @ 3.6ghz + the 4870X2 and im getting similar load temps as he is. still a good 50c lower than the stock air :p:

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he has 3 rads totaling 8 fans, the temps shouldn't be that high at all

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SNiiPE_DoGG

he has 3 rads totaling 8 fans, the temps shouldn't be that high at all

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Ahh...didn't catch what kinda radiators he was runnign, that is on the highside then. Probably due to the bad contact on the cores he showed earlier. Im hovering at 35-37 idle, haven't really tested my load temps...such a different ballgame this liquid stuff compared to air. Gotta test if i can keep stuff under 40C with my trusty MCR320 :p:

Those are my pics and not my temps, my pc is in pieces still :S

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SNiiPE_DoGG

I do not mean to be rude, but those temps are terrible. I use the DangerDen 4870x2 block and my voltmodded 4870x2 running @ 900mhz on the cores loads at only 40C....

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U don`t know anything about the temps in the room or how many fans that where runing. I can certainly do mutch better then that. 24c/26c idle och 42c/45c load is what i got now with better temp in the room and the fans runing little bit faster. I also tightned the screws arond the cores.

Ok. Just got my XSPC Razor last night and installed.

Three red lights closest to the end of the card come on upon boot, but then immediately go off. Other two don't light up. WHen it is running should any lights remain on?

Only a couple of times did it boot into bios and then no further.

Made sure I followed the instructions. AS5 on chips, thermal pads where they are suppose to go. Used screws with the washers.

You can see in my specs what I have. PSU should be fine. Have all the right connectors plugged in.

What am I missing? :shrug:

are u sure your chip between the cores have contact with the block? I didn`t use paste on it i used the stock thermal pad. I think thats your problem.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheMan89

are u sure your chip between the cores have contact with the block? I didn`t use paste on it i used the stock thermal pad. I think thats your problem.

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I can give that a try. What a pain it will be to get that thing out of my maze of tubing :cool:

Well reseating it and using the thermal tape from the stock unit and nothing.

The middle light stayed on once and awhile. But not always. No screen.

Tried other pci-e slots and same result.

Tried another gpu and worked for awhile then loaded fresh install of vista 64 and then downloaded updates and then nothing. ???

This is a new RMA'd board and RMA'd GPU.

I may just go back to loud air. :mad:

Arrgghh.

Next steps?

What brand/manufacturer is your 4870X2 ? Was thinking if they've got a tight policy about the stock fan plug being plugged, since the middle led indicates a thermal issue. I thought I had that issue, but after unmounting mine it was just a bad contact with the cores.

Edit. My problems occured because I used the thermal pads from the stock cooler, they are too thick thus making a bad mount on the cores. Might be even worse with some manufacturers that don't follow the standard height's & clearances.

I found that the screws around the GPUs needed to be tightened after the card heat cycled a few times. I was seeing temps of 45C+, but now I see 41C max with OCCT Pestroika's PSU test(not aware of any method that produces higher temps). I've got an e8600@4.55/1.42v in my loop with the card as well.

--Matt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hewi

What brand/manufacturer is your 4870X2 ? Was thinking if they've got a tight policy about the stock fan plug being plugged, since the middle led indicates a thermal issue. I thought I had that issue, but after unmounting mine it was just a bad contact with the cores.

Edit. My problems occured because I used the thermal pads from the stock cooler, they are too thick thus making a bad mount on the cores. Might be even worse with some manufacturers that don't follow the standard height's & clearances.

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It is a Diamond card.

I first used AS5 and 3 lights would stay on. Then I reseated and added the thermal pads to the center chip and left the AS5 on the cores and paded the other chips and then tightened/loosened screws and eventually to not have any lights post boot.

With the hardware as heavy as it is, could it be pulling the contacts down within the pcie slot?

http://www.ozone3d.net/benchmarks/sc...2b29361a098604

2 HD4870X2 = fast..

but im hating everyone on this forum that told me to get a second one instead of a dedicated IO controller.

BTW, the heat load off it is around 400W. Im guessing here.
A PA160 with good fans could cool 2 HD4870X2's without a problem from my guess.


PA160 is about = PA120.2 which is a tad weaker then MCR320 incase you guys want a comparision.

You're problem might be that you applied to much AS5 which is conductive and some of it seeped over the memory ic onto the actual PCB when pressure was applied causing a short out. Thats why you should use one of the non-conductive offerings such as MX-5.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wolf132

You're problem might be that you applied to much AS5 which is conductive and some of it seeped over the memory ic onto the actual PCB when pressure was applied causing a short out. Thats why you should use one of the non-conductive offerings such as MX-5.

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or use the one that is included with the block ;):up:

Just orderd one myself, hope its a decent block.

Well with all that fuss it was my PSU. Dang it.

I went tro Fry's and got another one and it worked first pull.

All that for that. This PSU is only 3 months old. Oh well.

I saw a Cosmos S for $149 in the meantime and will be picking one of those puppies up and starting this craziness all over in that case.

If anyone wants a nice Zalman GS1000 hardly used case LMK ;)

Thanks for your troubleshooting assistance.

Riiighty...

Had to re-mount the block without washers (as improvised "distancers") because achieving proper contact in all components across the board this was was... impossible.

I've managed a half-decent mount with the block "as is", with temps ranging 40-43 C on the GPUs, 51-53 MEM, with the card clocked 857/953.

However, there's still a problem... VRegs on the "rear", where in this block there are no screws to hold it (as opposite to most FC blocks) is poor, leading to temps ranging 100-120 C with OCCT PSU test...

That's some brutal temp, even for VRegs... I suppose I'll have to use even thicker thermal pads or devise some sort of "home-made" clamping mechanism...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SNiiPE_DoGG

he has 3 rads totaling 8 fans, the temps shouldn't be that high at all

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and what do you know of his ambients?

You still cant compare one system to another.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hewi

Ahh...didn't catch what kinda radiators he was runnign, that is on the highside then.

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no im sorry i didnt catch this earily, your original statement is absolutely correct, you can NEVER COMPARE 2 DIFFERENT systems.

Finally got my card into a working pc.

Using riva tune to check my temps I notice the gpu 0 memory IO temp is way higher than the rest, 60 at idle, the gpu 1 VRM pase 1 thru 3 are 55 to 60 whereas gpu 0 is 40ish

Can anyone point out which parts are these on the card so I can adjust the pads pressure etc?

The pc crashes when I fold or run the fur render from GPU z as it get too hot.

those are the VRMs located in between the GPUs above the PLX and directly to the right of the Right GPU's memory. they are labeled "VITEC"

http://www.tcmagazine.com/images/new...4870_X2_02.jpg

cheers

Which way round are they? left one is 0 and right is 1 i guess

I think you should be given the possiblity of using your own TIM. It is generally known that thermal pads doesnt conduct heat as good as a your normal TIM.

You put TIM on the gpu chipset and memory?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pootank

You put TIM on the gpu chipset and memory?

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yes

@NysoO: the standard on height tolerances of the VRM components isn't exact enough to use thermal paste, some cards would get good contact, others not so much.

I had to use a thicker thermal pad on one VITEC Chip(1mm instead of 0,5mm). And i also used more thermal paste on every core/memory chip as normal to get "good" contact.